Bonnie Konyak
Dimapur | October 30
The maiden visit of Margaret Alva, the new AICC General Secretary Incharge of Nagaland tomorrow is expected to be a highly strung affair considering the fact that the Congress party in the State is “struggling” to regroup itself after its defeat in the 2003 election against a formidable opposition, projecting ‘regionalism’ as one of its poll strategy. There is no doubt that the Congress party’s popularity is once again gaining momentum but that is only expected to make the job more difficult for the lady who might have to first resolve the differences within the party set-up before discussing strategies for the coming election.
While it has been confirmed that the AICC General Secretary Incharge of the state will deliberate on the issue of ticket distribution, the final decision is expected only after the Congress high command in Delhi gives its nod and as such, the importance attached to Alva’s visit.
It has been disclosed that there are more than one power-center in the present Congress set-up and according to party sources this is proving to be a ‘tough job’, especially when it comes to the issue of ticket distribution and resolving the leadership issue within the party.
Alva’s visit will also likely to discuss the high profile resignation of former MLAs like K. Therie, Yeangphong, Vatsu Meru and Z. Obed, all from the NPF who had resigned from their party due to differences with the present government. And have expressed their desire to comeback into the Congress fold even as most of the Assembly Constituency from which they hail, have already submitted recommendations to the NPCC.
Similarly, the resignation of BJP MLA, Tiameren from the DAN Government on Monday and the reports of his application for membership in the Congress party is not sitting well with the ACCC of 30 Alongtaki A/C with the grass root Congress workers projecting Er. T. Saku Aier, member NPCC as their recommended candidate. In a memorandum submitted to the AICC In-Charge today, the ACCC stated that it was reliably learnt that a ‘certain leader in the CLP is inclined to offer the party ticket to Tiameren, whose political career is stated as a “rolling stone because of his frequent defection from one party to another”.
To mention another dilemma facing the State Congress leadership is the reported development in 26 Aonglenden A/C, the bastion of veteran Congressman Dr. SC Jamir, with the local youth wing of the party in the constituency threatening to dissolve en masse if their aspiration to have the Congress ticket granted to Imtikumzuk is not conceded. Sitting MLA and senior Congressman Nungshizenba, is vying to contest from 26 Aonglenden A/C. Imtikumzuk is an aide of former Chief Minister SC Jamir. Both are from Ungma village which makes up a major bulk of the total electorate of the constituency. The youth workers there allege that a ‘recommendation letter’ submitted by the District Youth Congress to the District Congress Committee written in support of Imtikumzuk, which was supposed to be forwarded to the NPCC, was ‘misplaced’.
It was also disclosed that although the NPCC has earlier agreed in principle to grant tickets to all sitting MLAs of the party, the newly appointed AICC in-charge of the state, Margaret Alva has a different idea.
Besides finalizing the party list of candidates, sources disclosed that Alva will also have to resolve the leadership crisis within the party. Alva might need to decide on a campaign leader for the State Congress party, who can be projected as the next Chief Minister of Nagaland; if at all the party comes to power. The two leading contenders, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader, I. Imkong and former Chief Minister, KL Chishi are said to have “two separate lists of their own candidates” for the coming elections.
However, the CLP Leader when contacted denied the claim saying that he had never projected himself as the next Chief Minster adding that the leader would be decided upon by the elected members of the Congress party after the election is over. “We might not even get elected”, he said continuing that as of now, the Congress party would go to the hustings under the banner of the NPCC president Hokheto Sumi. KL Chishi, too remained tight lipped on the matter saying that the he was unaware of any such matter although he confirmed that the meeting with Alva would touch on ticket distribution.
It is against this backdrop that the visit of the AICC General Secretary assumes significance. The question is whether the Congress High Command will be able to iron out this crisis within the party arising out of the tussle for party ticket and also the leadership issue.
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